Great demons at the Integration Realm rarely show themselves unless something major happens to the demon race.
"Has the young sect master finally realized? The Demon King is about to be born."
After going around in circles, Xia Xiange finally revealed the purpose of her visit.
"I wonder when the young sect leader will be able to set off? We should also head north to explore."
You should also go and check on your little apprentice's well-being.
The birth of the Demon King is nothing short of a catastrophe for the cultivation world.
This means endless war, shaking the three realms, and countless more deaths and injuries.
This world, already depleted of spiritual energy, will accelerate its collapse, and it's unknown how many more years it can hold on.
However, Xia Xiange accurately grasped Lingyan's weakness, and she was more worried about Gu Zhong's safety.
Gu Zhong is currently in the north, and even though his cultivation is advancing by leaps and bounds, he has not yet reached a level where he can rival a demon king.
"I can do it anytime, but does this really require Elder Xia to come in person?"
As for Lingyan, she naturally wished she could shrink the distance to an inch and be in the north in the next second.
However, if Xia Xiange wants to go along, then this matter is quite worth considering.
For so many years in the cultivation world, Xia Xiange has remained steadfastly seated on the Star Luo Sect's Star Gazing Platform, rarely stepping out of the mountain gate.
Anything that can make her move her legs must be extremely important to her.
It's hard to know whether she was truly concerned about the world this time, and whether she was targeting the Demon King.
Or did they see something, and their real purpose was to target Gu Zhong?
Then why did you specifically call me along?
With a hundred doubts lingering in her heart, Lingyan became increasingly wary of Xia Xiange, even secretly considering whether to strike first once they left the Star Luo Gate.
"The birth of the Demon King is of great importance. If we can nip the Demon Clan's plan in the bud, we can avoid a great war."
Apart from their sect leaders remaining at their respective sects, many immortal sects have sent their top experts to gather in the Northern Continent to make preparations. Naturally, I must go.”
Xia Xiange's words were eloquent, reasonable, and well-founded, leaving no room for criticism.
However, when all the immortal sects gathered again, they came out in full force, and Lingyan sensed a tragic sense of fighting a desperate battle.
It's all or nothing. If the entire immortal sect is destroyed, then this world will be completely turned into a hunting ground for demons.
When Lingyan arrived in the Northern Continent with Xia Xiange, the most prosperous city had already been reduced to a hellish landscape.
The magnificent pavilions and towers have been reduced to ruins, burning with eerie flames.
The mountains and forests crushed during the battle between immortals and demons were all turned into withered trees.
What should have been a prosperous and thriving world is now nothing but desolation.
Ordinary people who barely survive are listless and lifeless, like walking corpses, as if whether they live or not is no longer important.
The constant battles also wore down the unnecessary formalities and empty rituals of these self-proclaimed noble immortals.
Upon their arrival, Xingluomen was welcomed into the palace where they held discussions, rather than at a welcoming banquet.
"Elder Xia, Lord Xingxuan, we've been waiting for you!"
"What's the situation now?"
"After several investigations, we found that the demon race is heavily guarding the Blood Phoenix Mountain area and is defending it at all costs. The Demon King may be born here."
"Both of them are astrologers; perhaps they can divine the exact date of the Demon King's birth? This will allow us to make our plans."
Astrologers divine all things in the world and predict future events.
These skills are useless in ordinary times when you're just showing off your strength and courage, but in a major battle, they become the key to victory.
Anticipating the enemy's moves and making the first move to seize the initiative often allows you to achieve the greatest victory with the least cost.
"I will begin the ritual tonight."
Xia Xiange responded. Lingyan had not spoken yet. With Elder Xia, the most trusted astrologer of the immortal sect, present, she had no room to say anything more.
Lingyan then inquired about Gu Zhong's whereabouts from several close old friends.
Now she has figured it out and it's time to meet him and clarify some things that haven't been explained before.
"Where is the young sect leader headed?"
After leaving the council chamber, seeing that Lingyan was not going to the resting palace with her, Xia Xiange raised an eyebrow and called out to her.
"Just wander around."
Ling Yan mumbled something.
"Um?"
With her captivating phoenix eyes half-closed, Xia Xiange uttered a question.
"Young Master is really... too cautious about your little disciple's matter."
She pondered for a moment, then spoke in an ambiguous tone, which made Lingyan's heart skip a beat.
"The battlefield is dangerous, young sect leader, please be careful. I don't want to go back and report the sect leader's death."
Fortunately, Xia Xiange didn't press the matter, only leaving behind a rather impolite remark before departing on her own.
When facing Xia Xiange, perhaps because of her excessive caution regarding Gu Zhong, Ling Yan always acted with excessive caution, which in turn attracted Xia Xiange's attention.
Deliberate avoidance and concealment only arouse others' desire to investigate, which backfired on her.
However, Lingyan now has a premonition that after the matter of the Demon King is resolved, there is no need to continue to maintain the superficial peace. Sooner or later, they will have to take the step of turning their swords against each other.
According to the information gathered, Gu Zhong should have been wandering around the eastern edge of Blood Phoenix Mountain for some time, helping the immortal sects establish strongholds to attack the interior of Blood Phoenix Mountain and dealing with the counterattack of the demon race.
When Lingyan saw Gu Zhong again, she had just finished a not-so-intense battle.
He was pulling a sword from the heart of the wretched Nascent Soul demon beast, expressionlessly shaking off the bloodstains on the blade, and then carefully sheathing it.
The people around him either flattered him or tried to strike up a conversation with ill intentions, but Gu Zhong ignored them all and silently flew towards the other side of the formation where spiritual energy was fluctuating.
It seems that she is here specifically to exorcise demons, and she won't do anything else besides this.
Lingyan suddenly became curious about just how high Gu Zhong's cultivation level was.
So she released the smoke and clouds from her mustard seed space. This sword must be really eager to punch someone right now.
As soon as the smoke appeared, it circled around her twice in dissatisfaction, then belatedly locked onto a familiar aura not far away. After a moment's pause, it transformed into a streak of smoke and went to settle accounts with that person with great force.
Gu Zhong has been fighting tirelessly in Blood Phoenix Mountain for nearly two months. Those who knew her all respected, feared, envied, and were jealous of her.
Everyone says that back in the Heavenly Thunder Realm, it was only thanks to Xingxuan Jun's guidance that she gained such a great opportunity and became who she is today.
However, people always deliberately ignore the corresponding risks that come with obtaining opportunities, and that only by risking their lives can they reap the rewards.
And not everyone can rise to the top overnight once they get the opportunity.
Talent and hard work are equally important and neither can be lacking.
Gu Zhong's current cultivation level is entirely due to the hardship and cold she endured in various places.
Since leaving the Heavenly Thunder Realm, she has traversed the northern and southern borders, crossed the eastern sea and western deserts, and gone to the lands of demonic beasts, to places no one dares to go.
She once made a grand vow to rival someone, and she dared not relax for a moment. Almost every time, she risked her life to gamble on every opportunity to become stronger.
No one can understand or imagine what kind of hardships she went through to become who she is today.
One day, she will become an independent person, someone who will be respected by thousands even if she loses the titles of Xingluomen and Xingxuanjun.
At Blood Phoenix Mountain, Gu Zhong never dared to relax. The moment she sensed the hostility coming from behind her, she immediately drew her sword and turned around, only to see a sword she had never expected.
This means that person is right here at this moment.
"Master..."
Chapter 86 Astrologers and Defiant Ones (15)
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Because of Gu Zhong's neglect, Yan Yun's entire sword trembled with anger, revealing its unbelievable fury.
The rapier stabbed at Gu Zhong haphazardly, as if it were just a way to vent his anger.
At first, Gu Zhong could manage to cope with it to some extent, but gradually he found himself unable to keep up.
Even Gu Zhong, the God of War, suffered many losses at the hands of Yan Yun. In terms of sword intent and skill, immortals and gods ultimately cannot master as much as the sword itself.
"Smoke and Clouds!"
When Lingyan arrived and saw Gu Zhong's disheveled appearance as he frantically blocked her attacks, she couldn't help but chuckle. She called out to him, thus saving Gu Zhong from Yanyun's wrath.
Although the smoke and clouds stopped attacking, they still lingered around Gu Zhong, seemingly still wanting more.
"Ah Chong, it's been so long..."
After gazing at him for a long time, as if trying to see through Gu Zhong's hardships and vicissitudes over the past ten years, Ling Yan finally spoke slowly, offering a gentle greeting.
The man before him was dressed in a pure black robe, enough to cover all dirt and bloodstains. Even though he had been fighting with Yan Yun for a long time, not a speck of dust had fallen on his robe.
She has shed her former naivety and humility, and now exudes a calm and aloof aura, carrying an air of arrogance that looks down on the world. This must stem from her current strength and confidence.
Now, Gu Zhong stands among the crowd, no longer an inconspicuous, resilient weed, but merely a dull, gray backdrop.
Like a pearl that has had its disguised surface of sand polished away, it begins to radiate a dazzling and captivating light, no longer worthy of being ignored.
"Master... Xingxuan Jun."
The two words that were almost on the tip of his tongue were abruptly changed at the last minute, turning into a respectful title that sounded distant and polite.
Gu Zhong's aloofness was within Ling Yan's expectations. Before his arrival, she had already rehearsed their reunion many times in her mind and told herself to accept all the endings with equanimity.
However, when actually facing Gu Zhong, I couldn't help but feel a little sad.
"...How have you been these past ten years?"
Who would have thought that lovers who should be inseparable would now be speechless with each other, their only words being empty greetings.
"Very good."